Haflong stadium to have lights soon

SARAT SARMA

Nagaon, Feb. 22: The Dima Hasao Sports Association is planning to give permanent shape to its floodlight system at the N.L. Daulogupo sports complex at Haflong so that the ninth Chief Executive Member Cup Football Tournament can be organised there.

The sports association yesterday said at least two generators, along with some more high-mast lights, would be installed within the next three months and the infrastructure given a permanent facelift using technical expertise from outside the state.

The CEM Cup Football Tournament — the flagship event of the hill district — is scheduled for October.

The Dima Hasao Sports Association, with support from state electricity board, used temporary floodlights at the sports complex to conduct the eighth CEM Cup in September last year. The infrastructure was then abandoned six months after it was installed. “We are seeking to complete the work with our own funds as well as assistance from the government. Unlike in previous years, the ninth CEM Cup meet will be arranged by the end of October so that problems like incessant rainfall can be avoided,” said the association’s president and Dima Hasao District Autonomous Council chief executive member Debojeet Thaosen. During the last three years, the hill district sports association stressed the need for infrastructure development for the N.L. Daulogupu sports complex for arranging national level tournaments.

“On completion of the boundary and drainage work, we have established a dormitory with a well-equipped office building. The construction work of an indoor cricket pitch with Rs 8 lakh as assistance from the Assam Cricket Association is on. Right now, we can easily accommodate at least three guest teams. Besides, we are equipped to call more outside teams for the 9th CEM Cup tournament,” DHSA general secretary T.T. Daulogupu said.